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Coblation-assisted Lewis and MacKay operation (CobLAMO): new technique for tongue reduction in sleep apnoea surgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 November 2013

S G MacKay*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery, The Wollongong Hospital, Australia Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Australia
N Jefferson
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery, The Wollongong Hospital, Australia
L Grundy
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesia, The Wollongong Hospitaland, Australia
R Lewis
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: A/Prof Stuart MacKay, 1–2, 8–10 Victoria St, Wollongong, NSW, Australia2500 Fax: +61 2 4227 6292 E-mail: sgmackay@ozemail.com.au

Abstract

Background:

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common condition that is unfortunately associated with a high rate of patient non-compliance regarding device use. Newer surgical interventions have focused on procedures at the palate level, using variants of palatoplasty and transpalatal advancement. However, the extent of tongue reduction surgery required remains controversial. The authors propose an in-between variant that combines midline glossectomy resection (with minimal mucosal sacrifice) and lateral coblation tongue channelling.

Method:

Four patients underwent a coblation-assisted Lewis and MacKay operation, which is a new technique for tongue reduction. This involved a midline glossectomy combined with lateral coblation channelling of the tongue, alone or as part of major airway reconstruction. Demographic, polysomnographic and quality of life questionnaire data were collected prospectively and analysed.

Results and conclusion:

No significant complications were noted in the four patients. (Results of the post-surgical outcomes are presented in another paper.) The coblation-assisted Lewis and MacKay operation reduced the potential complications of aggressive tongue surgery. The contours of the tongue were maintained, but significant reduction was still achieved.

Type
Short Communications
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

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